- #1
blackbird3
- 5
- 0
I'm confused about the ability of neurons to repair themselves.
My understanding was that most tissue was repaired not by 'mending' individual cells but by creating new cells by cell division (and that most types of neurons don't actually do this) and that cells just became more worn until they die.
However, I've recently read an article which said that alcohol does not destroy neurons but it can damage dentrites - BUT the dendrites can later be repaired. If individual cells can repair parts of themselves in this way, does this mean that they are constantly replacing their materials e.g. replacing molecules in the cell walls as they get worn etc, or is there just a particular mechanism for mending dendrites? Do other types of cells have ways of repairing themselves and adding new molecules?
My understanding was that most tissue was repaired not by 'mending' individual cells but by creating new cells by cell division (and that most types of neurons don't actually do this) and that cells just became more worn until they die.
However, I've recently read an article which said that alcohol does not destroy neurons but it can damage dentrites - BUT the dendrites can later be repaired. If individual cells can repair parts of themselves in this way, does this mean that they are constantly replacing their materials e.g. replacing molecules in the cell walls as they get worn etc, or is there just a particular mechanism for mending dendrites? Do other types of cells have ways of repairing themselves and adding new molecules?